Alan Biggs

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Alan Biggs
Experimental Law Variations (ELVs)
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Introduction

• iRB Council approved global trial of 13 ELVs at
  all levels of the Game, effective from 1st August
  2008
• Refereeing interpretation of all 13 rigorously
  discussed by ERU, Community Referee Department
  RFU Coach Development personnel
• Importance of applying current Law
• Workshops will allow you to discuss all ELVs in
  more detail

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ELV 1Law 6 Match Officials

• When appointed by ERU, PDU, Group, Federation or
  Society, touch judges known as Assistant
  Referees
• Current protocol at National League level applies

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ELV 2 3Law 17 Maul

• Players are able to defend a maul by pulling it
  down to ground
• RFU ruling this will not be applied at U19 level
• A defender MUST grasp an opposing player anywhere
  between shoulders hips and then pull that
  player to the ground
• If a maul is brought down by any other action, it
  is regarded as a collapse and therefore illegal
  and this must be applied rigorously by referees
• Accidental offside/offside
• Present Law must not be ignored, particularly
  side entry
• Key words pulled down, collapsed and
  unsuccessful

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ELV 4Law 19 Touch and Lineout

• If a team puts the ball back in its own 22 and
  the ball subsequently kicked directly in to
  touch, no gain in ground
• Exception if a tackle, ruck or maul has formed
  or is played by an opponent prior to the kick to
  touch
• Vigilance of the Team of Three crucial

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ELV 5Law 19 Touch and Lineout

• A quick throw in may be thrown in straight or
  towards the throwing teams own goal line
• Ball must still travel 5 metres before it touches
  the ground or another player
• No gain in ground if a player runs back into his
  own 22 to take a quick throw
• Team of Three vigilance again crucial

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ELV 6Law 19 Touch and Lineout

• There is no restriction on the number of players
  from either team who can participate in the
  lineout
• Minimum of 2 players from each team to form a
  lineout
• All lineout players to fit between the 5 and the
  15 metre lines

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ELV 7Law 19 Touch and Lineout

• If a team chooses to have a receiver at the
  lineout, they must be at least 2 metres
  away from the lineout before the ball is thrown
  in.
• Receiver cannot move until the ball leaves the
  throwers hands

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ELV 8Law 19 Touch and Lineout

• Team not throwing in must have a player standing
  between the 5 m line and on that teams side of
  touch when the lineout is formed
• That player must be at least 2 m from the 5 m
  line and not move towards the lineout until the
  ball leaves the throwers hands

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ELV 9Law 19 Touch and Lineout

• Lineout players may pre-grip a jumper before the
  ball is thrown in (RFU ruling not at U 15 except
  in County matches)
• Players cannot pre-grip below shorts from behind
  and below thigh from front
• Responsibility of lifters/supporters to ensure
  their player are returned to ground safely as per
  existing law
• Existing law regarding padding applies

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ELV 10Law 19 Touch and Lineout

• The lifting of lineout players is permitted
• Remain conscious of where pre-gripping occurs
• Remain strict on
• dummy jumping by attacking and defending side
• early lift by defenders and attackers
• jumping/stepping into the gap
• management of the throw in
• Sacking still legal (ball carrier)

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ELV 11Law 20 Scrum

• Introduction of an offside line 5 metres behind
  the hindmost feet of the scrum
• Applies to players who are not in the scrum and
  who are not the teams scrum half

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ELV 12Law 20 Scrum

• Identification of scrum half offside lines
• Defending scrum half must be in direct opposition
  to his opponent at the commencement of the scrum
• Non-ball-winning scrum half must not move away
  from scrum and then remain in front of offside
  line i.e. hindmost feet
• Recommended distance scrum half can move away
  from scrum is 1 metre
• Existing Law regarding back rows and attacking
  scrum half still applies

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ELV 13Corner Posts

• Corner posts no longer considered to be in
  touch-in-goal except when the ball is grounded
  against the post
• If ball hits corner post and bounces back into
  play, game continues